The coachman discontinued the onrush of the vehicle dead-centre of the enormous wrought iron gate. Three knights went out of the rig and stood on the side of its passageway. Thereafter, Zelel stepped out of the carriage. The Duke immediately espied quite the peculiar scene at the palace entrance. Hence, he promptly approached the two people, allowing his servants to bailout with the chariot.
"What seems to be the problem, Mister Roshun?" - Was the minister's foremost question, turning to look at the strange guest.
The guard gave a Roman salute ahead of answering the query.
"Volhnir Ahderia fin Sotus, Duke Claudas. The lady has not uttered a word. I don't know the reason for her vi-."
"Duke Claudas? You mean Duke Zelel Claudas, the Prime Minister?!" The maid interjected the sentry's speech with her abrupt loud comment.
"Yes, that is my name." Zelel wasn't the least bit flabbergasted, but his curiosity was piqued.
The woman hurriedly lowered her head once she wised-up on the identity of the man afore her.
"I apologize for my mindless decorum, Your Grace. I am Tara Kishnar, the Empress' head maid."
Now, that really caught the Duke's interest. The Empress and her maids had not once interacted with anyone outside of the Sortis Palace. The surprising thing was that they were able to keep up with that kind of socialization for more than aethras.
Zelel had a lot of facts that he yearned to be acquainted on. Howbeit, he sensed that Tara came carrying a concern regarding the Empress, requiring an urgent resolution.
"Please follow me. I will take you to the Emperor's office."
"I am grateful for your understanding, Your Grace." Tara fixed her posture upon saying her gratitude. For his reply, Zelel just bobbed his head once, then moved his gaze to Roshun.
"Let us in."
The guard quickly lifted his staff, pointing its magic crystal towards another crystal on the core pinnacle of the gate. Once the crystals glowed, Zelel began to make his way to the castle, his figure permeating the golden bars of the gate. Tara Kishnar did the same without complaint. Thankfully, Roshun felt alleviated of his stress when they left.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Except for the sound of heels hitting the marbled tiles, merely the silence escorted the two personages while they traversed the several concourses that would take them to the Emperor's study.
Being deep in thought, Zelel only noticed that they had already arrived by the office when Tara spoke.
"Is this the room?"
"That's right. Please stay here, Lady Kishnar. I'll go ahead and inform the Emperor of your visit."
"Yes, Your Grace."
The Duke wordlessly entered the room, leaving Tara to hold on alone. She quietly awaited her opportunity.
'I might have to wait for longer than desired. I hope that the Emperor will agree to meet me.'
Contrary to her expectations, Zelel peeked his head out of the crevice of the opening and called for her in an instant. Accordingly, she psyched herself up before setting foot in the room.
'For the Empress!'
Duke Claudas held the door open for the maid as she waltzed her path inside. Tara settled no more than two meters from the entryway.
"Go further." The minister egged her to move forward, and she did as she was told.
The Emperor's demeanour was his usual, scanning the myriad of documents on his desk. Nevertheless, Tara guessed that she was permitted to initiate the conversation.
"I greet Your Majesty, the Emperor. I hail from the Soltis palace and serve as the Empress's maidservant. I have come to seek help concerning the Empress' condition." she bowed her head as she articulated her intent.
"Help?"
At this point, Atticus turned his full attention to the maid. He became inquisitive when the woman said that it was related to the Empress, so he nodded his head to urge the maid to talk. Tara grasped the cue and recited the lines that she had prepared.
"The Empress - The Empress has not awoken from her lengthy slumber, 24 diers to be precise. I beg of you, aid us in finding a method to cure her."
"Are you telling the truth?" Although the tone was not indicative of fright, a considerable hint of worry was heard in the Emperor's voice.
"Regrettably, I am telling the truth, Your Majesty. I won't be pleading for your assistance if we are sentient of the method to heal her. However, we don't even know the root cause of this case."
Atticus set down the document he was poring over on top of the nearest stack, then he leaned his back on the seat. Thereafter, he pinched the bridge of his nose, deliberating on the befitting approach to be taken with regards to the issue. His debate with himself concluded pronto whilst he called for the Prime Minister's engrossment.
"Zelel"
"Yes, Your Majesty." Duke Claudas lowered his head as he responded.
"Who is the most well-versed in the art of healing within the Empire?"
"I believe that it's Duke Sarakiel Helian, Your Majesty. There's also Lord Mikhail Percival who acquired the recognition of the aforementioned Duke." Zelel answered with certainty, not giving any room for doubts.
It was already established that, within the boundaries of the Empire, Sarakiel transcended everyone's capabilities in both magic and non-magic treatment. Whether it's a medicine for an unknown disease or a spell to ward off a curse, he could create one facilely, provided that these cases conform with this world's reason.
The Emperor stood up and faced the window wall. He shut his eyes for a moment, allowing the rays of the Siero to bathe his body with warmth. When he has had enough of his brief basking, His Majesty uttered the orders for Zelel to comply with.
"Gather with Mikhail and Sarakiel, subsequently expedite your travel to the Soltis Palace. Inform me straight-away if there are complicacies that impede you from progressing."
"As you wish, Your Majesty."
"Leave now and make haste."
The Prime Minister and the handmaiden bowed to give their parting respects to the Emperor, decamping in a stir as soon as they're done.
An interval of quietude descended in the confines of the study once the double doors regressed to fully barring the entryway. The Emperor put his left hand on the windowpane, his eyes crowded with glints of rosiness.
'Your Highness, the Empress, this will be your end of the bargain. You have to awaken from that slumber lest you won't be capable of recompensing me with gratitude for burying your existence.'